From values to strong policy making – implementing collection-focused museology

Abstract

Actively practicing value-based discourse among various municipal stakeholders is an integral part of museum work. This can function as a bridge between museum professionals and other parties affecting our work. It is also a tool that can be used, especially in collection care duties. I will introduce three separate projects where active value-based discourse helped museum professionals clarify the collection focus of one of the most significant artist’s homes in Finland, Suviranta, that of Eero Järnefelt and his family. These projects involved hands-on and on-site museum work by museology students, a theoretical museum plan involving Suviranta for city officials and a two-day home museum conference for museum professionals. Furthermore, the concept of time is used to demonstrate the various mindsets affecting heritage work within a municipal structure. Ultimately, the aim is to find ways to align these mindsets for the benefit of long-term preservation perspectives.